Cryptographic printing apparatus



Aug. 8, 1933 F. scHlMMl-:L Er AL 1,921,327

CRYPTOGRAPHIC PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26,. 1930 z-sheets-snemr 1 Patented Aug. 8, 1933A when CRYPTOGRAPHIC PRWTDIG APPARATUS v Francois Schimmel,

Aulnay --Scus Bois, and

Eugne Auguste Bidault, Paris, France Application August 26, 1930, Serial No. 477,902,v

and in France September 4, 1929 8 Claims.

he desires to send. The apparatus is combined in such a manner that a letter, for instance an A, may have a different signification every time it appears in a different column or for each of the elements with characters. Consequently deciphering is absolutely impossible for persons not provided with the apparatus, and even for those who, possessing the apparatus, do not know the key. The cipher message, transmitted to the receiver by broadcasting, or by another means, is repassed through the. apparatus of the receiver,

who will previously have adjusted it according to' the key agreed upon, and the apparatus will give him the message printed in plain language, that is to say deciphered. f

For obtaining absolute secrecy, it sumces to del stroy the printed paper and to unset the apparatus, operation which requires but a few seconds.

The invention is illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. i is a side view oi. the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a cross section, on an enlarged scale of the balls S'tted in two of the recesses 6a. Nor- 90 two pairs of discs and of the partitions separating, them.

Fig. e is a plan view oi the frame, the discs being removed. f

Figs. 5 to 8 are sections and side views of the 40 discs removed.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed view oi the ball coupling arrangement.

Fig. l0 is a side view of the entire apparatus provided with the new printing device. Fig. 1l is a frontview of the' entire apparatus. Fig. l2 is a section made through the printing apparatus according to line AMA of Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a section made according to line B-B of Fig. 11. .as illustrated in the drawings, the apparatus is composed ol' anumber of metal plates l separated by spacing tubes 2, Fig. 4, and connected together by studs 3 and nuts 4. Through the center of these plates 1 passes a central shaft 5 carrying, between the separations formed by they were tted, completely entering their rethe plates 1, discs 6 and 7. Each disc 6 carries, on its periphery, the alphabet and the digits, or the alphabet alone, which are engraved. Each disc 7 carries the same signs, but in relief so that they can be printed. These digits slightly extend beyond the peripheral surface of the disc carrying the engraved letters, as shown in Fig. '3. For -convenience and for limiting the weight, the number of pairs of discs is limited to eight, arranged one pair beside the other. The discs carrying the engraved alphabets serve for composing the message in plain language andthe discs with the letters in relief give this message in cipher, when it is the sender who utilizes the apparatus. On the contrary, it is on the discs having engraved letters that the receiver composes the cipher message he has received and it is the discs having letters in relief which give the message in plain language.

The disc 6 is moreover provided, on its side facing the disc 7, with small holes or recesses 6e, Fig. 6, located below theletters or digits, not far from the" edge. The disc 7, Fig. 8, is provided, on its side facing the disc 6, with two holes 7 only, formed at the same distance from the center, so that these two holes are always opposite two holes or recesses of the disc 6 and in this posil tion any two digits orletters of two discs 6 and 7 are opposite each other. A steel ball 8 arranged in each hole 'IB and pushed by a spring 9, yieldably maintaining this relative adjustment. By causing the disc 'l for instance to rotate on its shaft 5 by means of the fingers, the disc 6 also rotates, being rendered rigid with the disc 'l by mally, by acting on one or the other of both discs, they always rotate together. But, when it is desired to change the relative position of the digits or letters, one of the two discs is held stationary and the other is caused to rotate until the two desired letters are opposite each other. By the pressure exerted on both discs, the two balls 8 areforced out from the two recesses 6B where the engraved alphabet should be placed in a definite position relatively to the discs carrying the letters in'relief. For that purpose, a definite word, sentence or position'is chosen for the rst discs, for instance, the word Bordeaux which,

happens to be composed of eight letters, but this is lnot compulsory. The discs having the engraved letters will therefore be set in alignment (by causingv them to rotate with the iingersf the hand) with the letters composing the word Bordeaux. The discs having the letters in relief which must form the cryptogram will also be set in a definite position agreed upon between the persons who are to correspond. This'may be another Word, another sentence or one or more simple letters or digits. Let us assume that -the eight discs carrying the letters in relief have been setat the letter S. The apparatus thus adjusted should therefore appear as follows: B/S O/S R/S D/S E/S A/S U/S X/S. The eight S in relief will therefore represent the word Bor- Adeaux, and if for instance the word Bordeaux should be transmitted to the receiver, the ylatter would'receive on the despatch only the eight S. Nobody would be able to discover that the eight S represent this word, considering that .each S represents a different letter of the alphabet.

On the discs is provided a dash serving to di- Vide or space the words. Thus, if a Bordeaux is coded the .cryptogram mc46vC'zB1 is obtained as follows: l

One set of the discs having been set for the key word BORDEAUX and the letters S having been set up on the other discs, as above described, the signs on the pairs of discs will appear in part as follows:

When it is then desired to transmit the words, A BORDEAUX, the letter A in code appears as R on the first pair of discs. In the second pair of discs, opposite to the dash representing a vspace appears the cipher 4.; in the third pair,

`and for the translation of .Leersav If then; the discs are placed to translatethe word BORDEAUX, the cryptogram's will be:v

BS. OS. RS. DS. ES.,AS. US. XS.

And for the translation of the words A BOR- DEAUX:

i AR. 4. BC. O4. R6. DV. EC. AF. UB. X1.

DEAUX'z. v

DU. EI. -1. BQ.vo3. Ro. DB. Eli. AR. Uz. XY.

recesses '7e of -the disc 7. These recesses 15 beingnot quite so deep or 'having a smaller diameter than the recesses, the balls 7b enter therein to a lesser extent and, whilst ensuring the position of the pairs of discs, allow by causing one of the discs to rotate to changethe position ofthe pair of discs Without the relative position of the two discs of the pair being altered. .In other Words, the coupling between the plates 1 and the discs 7 is not so strong as the coupling between the discs 6 and 7.

It will Abe noted that the -walls 1 have' for effect *to isolate the pairs ofdiscs from each other and to preventa pair being driven by an -adjacent pair when it is caused to rotate for rivetted on either side in the segmentsv 10. TheV lamell 1l are soldered at their ends to the segments 10 and form with the latter a small oblong 'the words DE iaoR- I reservoir extending above the series of 8 pairs of discs constituting the apparatus. In this reservoir is introduced a felt strip 17 impregnated with ink, the said reservoir-being held in position Aby a cover 13. A paper strip 14 is inserted between the rods 12 and the underside of the felt r discs, the printing frame remains in the position shown in dotted lines and does riotl hinder the operation in any way. The printing apparatus can be'constructed in any othersuitable manner vention. l Y

y It may not be provided with anv inking felt strip, the printing being then effected by means of carbon or like paper.

I1215 without departing from the principle of the inl The non-printing discs can be provided with type which are not engraved, but of atform.

The very simple form of construction-of the printing device of the apparatus, such as above indicated, is suilicient for experienced persons.

In certain cases, however, it is preferable to render its manipulation easier. For that purpose, the invention further comprises an improved arrangement in which the printing device is completed by an inking ribbon and two rollers causing the paper to move, both rollers being actuated by means of a milled knob. By causing the knob to rotate after each impression, the paper advances to the extent of one line, uncovers the newly printed line, andthe inking ribbon moves at the same time to a certain extent, in order that the same portion of the ribbon will not always supply the ink for printing purposes. The lines previously printed remain constantly visible as on a typewriter in which the writing is visible. In this improved arrangement carbon paper can be used for making one or more copies when necessary. The inking ribbon comes in contact with the paper and does not touch the-engraved letters; consequently the engraved discs always remain clean and will not soil the fingers of the person manipulating them.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figs.

l0 to 13, the segments or side arms 10 (Figs. 10

and 11), which embrace the frame composed of the members l, 2, 3 and 4, carry a box 18. These arms are pivoted on two screws 1b provided with shoulders, so that the box 18V may be moved backward to avoid interference vin the manipulation of the engraved discs 6 and 7. In the box 18, longitudinally thereof, is mounted a roller 19 lined with rubber (Fig. 13) or like material. `On one side, the shaft 19a of this roller extends beyond the box 18 and carries a milled knob 20 which, on its left-hand portion, is provided with notches into which enter a pawl 21, (Figs. l0 and' 13) A second roller 22 (Fig. 10) is pressed against the driving roller 19 by two small flat springs 23 acting on its ends. By this means itis possible, by causing the roller 19 to rotate to the extent of one or two notches and by causing the paper to correspondingly advance, to obtain printed lines regularly spaced as on a typewriter. The paper sheet ppasses between the lower part of the box 18 under an endless inking ribbon 24 (Fig. 12).. and the printing discs. The ribbon 24 passes over guide rollers-25 and 26 (Fig. 13), one of which 25 is actuated by its spindle 27 on which is secured a bevel pinion 28, the other roller 26 being ,loosely mounted. The pinion 28 meshes with another pinion 29 rigidly secured onthe end of the shaft 19 of the rou 19 (Fig. 13). By causing the milled knob 20 to rotate, the bevel pinion 29 transmits the rotary movement to the pinion 28 and to the roller 25 rigidly secured on the common spindle or shaft 2'7. The spindle 30 of the roller 26 iscarried by a small right-angular member, and is guided by a slot provided in the inner wall of the box 18l (Fig. 13). The right-angular member 31 in which is riveted the spindle 30, is itself guided on a shaft 32 and can moveto the right and to the left. It is pushed by a spring 33 and drives with it the spindle 30 and the roller 26, so that the inking ribbon 24 is subjected to the necessary tension.

The printing is effected by closing the box 18 down on to the engraved discs 6 and 7, aspreviously described. By this closing down movement, the paper sheet comes in contact with the discs carrying the letters in relief (Figs. 10 and vthe paper on the side of the inking ribbon. This sinking is facilitated by the resiliency of the ribbon and by the constitution of the bed member which is composed of a strip 34,made of leather, felt or rubber (Figs. 12 and 13); This resilient material 34 is arranged in a support 35, in the shape of an inverted U, secured on the inner wallof the box 18 so as to be housed between the'upper and lower sides of the inking ribbon 24. The ribbon thus moves under this bed member 34 when the knob 20 is turned and presents, upon each new impression, another inked portion.

On the support 35 is moreover secured, lon the front side, a cover 36 attached by means of milled screws 3'7. This cover gives access to the ribbon 24 for facilitating its replacement. In order that the papersheet p should not fall back on to the apparatus and should allow an easy reading of the printed lines, it is guided at the point where it issues, by a guide 38 (Figs. 10, 12 and 13); the line last printed is located on the paper at the place 'indicated in Fig. 1.0 by the. point of the arrow.

When the apparatus is not in use, it is neces-I sary that the inkingV ribbon and the engraved discs should not be in contact with the paper. The inking ribbon is usually placed in the position indicated in full lines (Fig. 10) where these inconveniences unavoidably take place. avoiding the said inconveniences, the apparatus is provided on either side with tongues 39 which are secured on the central shaft 5 by screws 40. In the position illustrated in Fig.l0, the tongues 39 are spaced from the lower closed portion of the box 18 which can therefore move the ribbon and the paper towards the engraveddiscs for effecting the printing. By raising the tongues 39 to the position indicated in dot and dash lines, the box 18 instead of coming quite near the engraved discs is moved away therefrom to a certain extent bythe tongues 39 and no longer touches them. In this way, the ink of the ribbon `cannot be absorbed bythe paper when the apparatus is at rest, and the discs cannot be soiled by the ribbon when the paper is lacking. Before resuming the operation, the tongues are simply lowered to the position shown in Fig. 10.

The operation of the apparatus is very simple: A sheet of paper is inserted between the rolls 19 and 22; the milled knob 20 is caused to rotate to the required extent and,`after having placed the engraved disc at the required sentence, the box 18 is closed down on to the discs. The box 18 is slightly lifted, the knob 2O is turned for causing the paper to advance and for moving the ribbon, and the box is moved backward for avoiding any hindrance in the setting of the following line which is then printed as the preceding one.

The above arrangements areof course given by way of example only; the forms, details, accessories, materials and dimensions may be varied ForV of discs, partitions between the said pairs of 'discs Y for separating and insulating them `and constipair for permitting change of the sign combinations on the discs, a coupling between the pairs of discs and the frame of the apparatus, the last.

mentioned coupling not being as strong as'be- `tween the discs of each pair.

3. Apparatus for Vcoding nand decoding messages. comprising a shaft, a series of discs mounted on the said shaft, these discs being grouped in pairs, a disc of each pair being used for plain language and the other disc for cipher lan-y guage, signs on the periphery of the said discs, balls pushed by spring for coupling together the two discs of each pair, recesses inthe said discs and in which the said balls enter, a printing device mounted for rocking movement toward and away from the discs for allowing'their rotation and moved towards the said discs for printing.

t 4. Apparatus for coding and decoding messages, comprising a shaft, a series of discs mounted on the said shaft, these discs being grouped in pairs, a disc of eachpairfbeing used for plain language and the other'disc for cipher language, signs on the periphery of the said discs, balls pushed by spring for coupling .together the two discs of each pair, recesses in the said discs and in which the said balls enter, a printing device mounted for rocking movement toward and away from the discs for allowing their rotation and moved toward the said discs for printing.

5. Apparatus for coding and decoding messages, comprising a shaft, a series of discs mountthe ink' r'bbon. ed on the said shaft, these discs being grouped .carrymg mg l@ in pairs, a disc of each pair being used for plain v 1,921,327 l tions on the discs, means for stopping the pairs language and the other disc for cipher language, and signs on the,periphery of the said discs, a

'rocking printing device, containing a bed member provided with a resilient lining, an inking ribbon, rolls for causing the paper to advance.`

6. Apparatus for coding and decoding messages, comprising a shaft, a series of discs mounted on the said shaft, these discs being grouped in pairs, a disc of each pair being used for plain language and the other disc forcipher language, and signs on thev periphery of the said discs, a

rocking printing device, containing a bed member language and the other disc for cipher language,

and signs on the peripheryV of the said discs, a

rocking printing device, containing a bedmember provided with a resilient lining, an inking ribbon, rolls for causing the paper to advance, an operating knob rigidly secured on one of the rolls feeding the paper, a ratchet rigid with the said knob, and a pawl engaging with'the said ratchet.

8. Apparatus for coding and decoding messages, comprising ashaft, a series of'discs mounted on the said shaft, these discs being grouped in pairs, a disc of each pair being used for plain language andthe other disc for cipher language, and signs on the periphery of the said discs, a rocking printing device, containing a bed member provided with a resilient lining, an inking ribbon, rolls for causing the paper to advance, and operating knob rigidly secured on one of the rolls F. sCrmui/IEL. E. BmAUL'r.

ias 

